Absorbent Article Having A Graphic Visible Through Body Contacting Surface

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article for feminine hygiene, comprising: a body contacting layer; a garment contacting layer; and an absorbent core disposed between the body contacting layer and the garment contacting layer. The absorbent core has a core edge. The core edge defines a core region within the core edge and an outer region outside the core region. The body contacting layer and the garment contacting layer extend outward into the outer region and joined together in the outer region. The garment contacting layer may have a graphic printed on the body facing surface or the body contacting layer may have a graphic printed on the garment facing surface. The body contacting layer has a first light transmittance so that the graphic can be seen through the body contacting layer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/894,851filed Aug. 22, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/603,522 filed Jun. 25, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/396,115, filed on Jul. 16, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent articles. More particularly,the present invention relates to an absorbent article having a graphicwhich is visible through the body contacting surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners and incontinentpads are devices that are typically worn in the crotch region of anundergarment. More specifically, sanitary napkins and pantiliners, forexample, are worn by women in a pair of panties that is normallypositioned between the wearer's legs, adjacent to the perineum area.Sanitary napkins and pantiliners are designed to absorb and retain bodyfluids or discharges (e.g., urine and menses) from the body of women andto prevent body and clothing from soiling. A wide variety of shapes anddimensions of sanitary napkins and pantiliners is currently used bywomen for the collection of body fluids.

The menstrual period is very troublesome for women and almost all thewomen are in a depressed mood during the period. Conventional sanitarynapkins have a white color or a simple combination of light colors toprovide a clean appearance. Because of the appearance, such sanitarynapkins normally do not affect women's feeling, i.e., they do not helpto decrease or change women's depressed mood during the menstruationperiod.

Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3021237 discloses a sanitarynapkin having wings that are provided with a color or pattern on boththe body contacting surface and the garment contacting surface. Thispublication teaches that by using a color or pattern of the sanitarynapkin which is similar to that of the undergarment, the use of thesanitary napkin can not be easily recognized from the outside by others.This publication, however, is silent about a concrete structure of thesanitary napkin that can be practically manufactured nor a design thatcan affect the women's mood in the menstruation period. It is becausethis publication merely focuses on the similarity of the color orpattern between the sanitary napkin and the undergarment, and it doesnot recognize the need for improving women's depressed mood through thedesign of sanitary napkin during the menstruation period.

Thus, there is a need for an absorbent article that can provide anemotional benefit to users, and thus decrease users' melancholic moodwithout distress or inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to an absorbent article, which is preferably asanitary napkin or a pantiliner, comprising: a body contacting layer; agarment contacting layer; and an absorbent core disposed between thebody contacting layer and the garment contacting layer. The absorbentcore has a core edge. The core edge defines a core region within thecore edge and an outer region outside the core region. The bodycontacting layer and the garment contacting layer extend outward intothe outer region and joined together in the outer region.

In one aspect of the invention, the garment contacting layer has agraphic printed on the body facing surface at least in a portion of theouter region.

In another aspect of the invention, the body contacting layer has agraphic printed on the garment facing surface at least in a portion ofthe outer region.

The body contacting layer has a first light transmittance so that thegraphic can be seen through the body contacting layer in the outerregion.

The foregoing answers the need for an absorbent article that can providean emotional benefit to users, and thus decrease users' melancholic moodwithout distress or inconvenience.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become evident to those skilled in the art from readingof the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as formingthe present invention, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description which is taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a sanitary napkin which is one preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1,taken along the line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a sanitary napkin which is anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 3,taken along the line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package of a plurality of sanitarynapkins

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All cited references are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. Citation of any reference is not an admission regarding anydetermination as to its availability as prior art to the claimedinvention.

Herein, “comprise” and “include” mean that other elements and/or othersteps which do not affect the end result can be added. Each of theseterms encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentiallyof”.

Herein, “absorbent article” refers to articles which absorb and containbody exudates or discharges such as body fluids, and is intended toinclude sanitary napkins, pantiliners, diapers, and incontinence pads(and other articles worn in the crotch region of a garment).

Herein, “disposable” refers to articles which are intended to bediscarded after a single use, composted, or otherwise disposed of in anenvironmentally compatible manner. (That is, they are not intended to belaundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article.)

Herein, “sanitary napkin” refers to articles which are worn by femalesadjacent to the pudendal region which are intended to absorb and containthe various exudates which are discharged from the body (e.g., blood,menses, and urine).

Herein, “joined” encompasses configurations in which an element isdirectly secured to another element by affixing the element directly tothe other element; configurations in which the element is indirectlysecured to the other element by affixing the element to intermediatemember(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element; andconfigurations in which one element is integral with another element,i.e., one element is essentially part of the other element.

Herein, “body facing surface” refers to surfaces of absorbent articlesand/or their component members which face the body of the wearer, whilethe term “garment facing surface” refers to the opposite surfaces of theabsorbent articles and/or their component members that face away fromthe wearer when the absorbent articles are worn. Absorbent articles andcomponents thereof, including the topsheet, backsheet, absorbent core,and any individual layers of their components, have a body facingsurface and a garment facing surface.

Herein, “graphic” refers to an image or a design that is constituted bya figure (i.e., a line(s)), a symbol or character, a color difference ortransition of at least two colors, or the like. The graphic preferablyhas an aesthetic image or design that can provide emotional benefit(s)when the absorbent article of the invention is looked or viewed byusers. Such emotional benefits include, but not limited to, a relaxedfeeling, a happy or pleasant feeling, an encouraged feeling, and thelike. Preferred aesthetic images or designs include, but not limited to,plants such as flowers (e.g., a dandelion), pretty animals such as cats,cartoon characters, seasonal things or goods such as snowmen,landscapes, and the like. The graphic may further include other designor information than the aesthetic image, for example, a usageinformation about the size of the absorbent article, an indication ofthe front/back of the absorbent article, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a sanitary napkin 20 (i.e., a disposableabsorbent article) which is one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 1, the sanitary napkin 20 (and itscomponent members) has a body facing surface 22, and a garment facingsurface 24 opposed to the body facing surface 22. The sanitary napkin 20shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from the body facing surface 22. The sanitarynapkin 20 has a circumferential edge 29 which defines the outermost edgeof the sanitary napkin 20.

The sanitary napkin 20 has two centerlines, a longitudinal centerline Land a transverse centerline T. Herein, “longitudinal” refers to a line,axis or direction in the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that isgenerally aligned with (e.g., approximately parallel to) a verticalplane which bisects a standing wearer into left and right body halveswhen the sanitary napkin 20 is worn. Herein, “transverse” or “lateral”,are interchangeable, and refer to a line, axis or direction which lieswithin the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that is generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIG.1, taken along the line 2-2. The sanitary napkin 20 includes threeprimary components. These include a body contacting layer 30 (typicallyknown as a liquid permeable topsheet), a garment contacting layer 40(typically known as a liquid impermeable backsheet), and an absorbentcore 50 disposed between the body contacting layer 30 and the garmentcontacting layer 40. The top surface of the body contacting layer 30forms the body facing surface 22 of the sanitary napkin 20, while thebottom surface of the garment contacting layer 40 forms the garmentfacing surface 24 of the sanitary napkin 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent core 50 has a core edge 51 whichpreferably includes longitudinal side edges 52 and lateral end edges 54.The core edge 51 defines a core region 25 within the core edge 51, andan outer region 26 outside the core region 25 and inside thecircumferential edge 29 of the sanitary napkin 20. A main body portion55 is constituted in the core region 25 by these three primarycomponents 30, 40 and 50 of the sanitary napkin 20.

The absorbent core 50 may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes andshapes. The core edge 51 of the absorbent core 50 thus can take anyshape in its top plan view. Preferred shapes for the core edge 51include an oval, a rectangle, an hourglass, and a combination of theoval and rectangle such as the one shown in FIG. 1.

The body contacting layer 30 and the garment contacting layer 40 extendoutward into the outer region 26. These two layers 30 and 40 preferablyextend in both the longitudinal and transverse directions to reach thecircumferential edge 29 of the sanitary napkin 20. These two layers 30and 40 are joined together in the outer region 26. These two layers 30and 40 can be joined any means (e.g., an adhesive) known in the art.However, such means should not significantly affect the lighttransmittance (discussed hereinafter) of the body contacting layer 30(preferably and the garment contacting layer 40). Preferably, theseportions of the body contacting layer 30 and the garment contactinglayer 40 are joined using adhesives (not shown in Figs.) oversubstantially the entire portions that extend beyond the core edge 52 ofthe absorbent core 50. In a preferred embodiment, the body contactinglayer 30 and garment contacting layer 40 are densified by an applicationof pressure or heat and pressure in the outer region 26 to form a crimpseal.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a sanitary napkin 21 which is anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, thesanitary napkin 21 basically has a similar structure to that of thesanitary napkin 20 shown in FIG. 1 except the body contacting layer 30.Specifically, compared with the sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIG. 1, thesanitary napkin 21 has a body contacting layer 30′ which includes aliquid permeable topsheet layer 32 disposed in the core region 25, andgraphic protection layers 34 disposed in the outer region 26.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin 21 shown in FIG.3, taken along the line 4-4. Referring to FIG. 4, the topsheet layer 32is primarily disposed in the core region 25 to cover the body facingsurface 22 of the absorbent core 50. The topsheet layer 32 transverselyextends over the core edge 52 and slightly into the outer region 26. Thetopsheet layer 32 has longitudinal side edges 33 which end in the outerregion 26. The graphic protection layer 34 is primarily disposed in theouter region 26. The graphic protection layer 34 overlays thelongitudinal side edge 33 of the topsheet layer 32 in the outer region26 and extends outward to the circumferential edge 29 of the sanitarynapkin 21. The graphic protection layer 34 has longitudinal inner edges35 starting above the absorbent core 50 in the core region 25.

In this embodiment, since two different materials can be used for thebody contacting layer 30′ (i.e., the topsheet layer 32 and the graphicprotection layers 34), a more suitable choice can be made on the twomaterials (compared with the sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIG. 1). Forexample, a material which has a suitable light transmittance can beselected for the graphic protection layers 34 in the outer region 26,while another material which has a suitable liquid permeability can beselected for the topsheet layer 32 in the core region 25. This isbeneficial since it is not always easy to find one material that canmeet the both requirements for the body contacting layer 30 (e.g.,appropriate light transmittance and liquid permeability).

The garment contacting layer 40 has a graphic 65 printed on the bodyfacing surface 22 at least in a portion of the outer region 26.Preferably, the graphic 65 is printed at least in the whole area of theouter region 26. More preferably, for simplicity of manufacture, thegraphic 65 is printed on the whole body facing surface 22 of the garmentcontacting layer 40, as shown in FIG. 2 wherein the graphic 65 is shownas a graphic layer (or a printed layer) 60 on the body facing surface 22of the garment contacting layer 40. In this embodiment, the garmentcontacting layer 40 includes the graphic layer 60 on the body facingsurface 22.

The graphic layer 60 may be formed by either only a printed ink or asubstrate layer having an ink printed on its one surface. In onepreferred embodiment, the graphic layer 60 is formed by only a printedink layer disposed on the body facing surface 22 of the garmentcontacting layer 40. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the graphiclayer 60 is formed by a substrate layer having an ink printed on thebody facing surface 22 of the substrate layer. In this embodiment, thesubstrate layer having the ink printed is a part of the garmentcontacting layer 40.

More specifically, the garment contacting layer 40 may include, at leastin the outer region 26, two (or more) layers of materials which arepreferably joined together through an adhesive (or an application ofpressure or heat and pressure) to form a laminate. In one embodiment,the garment contacting layer 40 includes two layer materials, i.e., agraphic layer 60 (or a substrate layer for the graphic 65) and a liquidimpermeable layer 42 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The graphic layer 60having the graphic 65 printed is disposed on the body facing surface 22of the liquid impermeable layer 42 at least in the outer region 26,preferably in both the core region 25 and the outer region 26 as shownin FIGS. 2 and 4. Preferred materials for the graphic layer 60 include,but not limited to, a thin plastic film, a nonwoven web and a tissuewherein the graphic 65 is printed on its body facing surface 22. Thegraphic layer 60 is disposed at least in the outer region 26, preferablyin both the core region 25 and the outer region 26 (in that embodiment,the whole body facing surface 22 of the liquid impermeable layer 42 iscovered by the graphic layer 60).

In one alternative embodiment, the graphic 65 is printed on the garmentfacing surface 24 of the body contacting layer 30 at least in a portionof the outer region 26 (not shown in Figs.). If desired, such a graphiccan be printed on the garment facing surface 24 of the body contactinglayer 30 in both the core region 25 and the outer region 26 (not shownin Figs.). In a preferred embodiment, the graphic protection layer 34has a graphic 65 printed (or a graphic layer) on the garment facingsurface 24 (not shown in Figs.)

In these embodiments, since the graphic 65 is disposed between (andcovered by) the body contacting layer 30 and the garment contactinglayer 40, the graphic 65 which has been printed does not directlycontact the skin of wearer nor her undergarment. This is beneficialbecause the ink of the graphic 65 is not directly rubbed by the skin orthe undergarment and thus a removal of the ink (and a transfer of theink to other portion) can be prevented.

The graphic 65 can be printed by any conventional printing methods ortechnologies known in the art, including, but not limited to, a gravureprinting, a flexo printing, an offset printing, an ink jet printing, andthe like. In a preferred embodiment, the graphic 65 is printed on thewhole body facing surface 22 of the garment contacting layer 40 (asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4) by a gravure printing.

The body contacting layer 30 (or the graphic protection layer 34 in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) has a first light transmittance (LT1)so that the graphic 65 printed on the body facing surface 22 of thegarment contacting layer 40 (or on the garment facing surface 24 of thegraphic protection layer 34) can be seen through the body contactinglayer 30 in the outer region 26. (In FIG. 1, the graphic 65 which isseen through the garment contacting layer 40 is indicated by the dottedlines.) In order to effectively affect women's mood in the menstruationperiod, the material used for the body contacting layer 30 needs to havean appropriate range of light transmittance in the outer region 26. In apreferred embodiment, the first light transmittance (LT1) of the bodycontacting layer 30 in the outer region 26 is at least about 10%,preferably about 45% (i.e., in a range of about 45-100%), and morepreferably about 85% (i.e., in a range of about 85-100%). In addition,the first light transmittance (LT1) of the body contacting layer 30 inthe core region 25 is preferably less than about 80%, more preferablyless than about 70%. This is preferred to prevent body fluids absorbedin the core region 25 from being seen through the body contacting layer30.

Since users (or women) can see the graphic 65 at least through the bodycontacting layer 30 (or the graphic protection layer 34 in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), the sanitary napkin 20 can providean emotional benefit to women before uses, and thus decrease women'smelancholic mood.

In addition, the garment contacting layer 40 preferably has a secondlight transmittance (LT2) so that the graphic 65 on the body facingsurface 22 (or on the garment facing surface 24 of the graphicprotection layer 34) can also be seen through the garment contactinglayer 40. In order to further effectively affect women's mood in themenstruation period, the material used for the garment contacting layer40 needs to have an appropriate range of light transmittance. In apreferred embodiment, the second light transmittance (LT2) is at leastabout 10%, preferably about 45% (i.e., in a range of about 45-100%), andmore preferably about 85% (i.e., in a range of about 85-100%).

In this embodiment, since users can additionally see the graphic 65through the garment contacting layer 40, the sanitary napkin 20 canadditionally provide an emotional benefit to women, and thus decreasewomen's melancholic mood.

In one preferred embodiment, the difference between the first and secondlight transmittances (LT1 and LT2) is less than about 70%, preferablyabout 50%, and more preferably about 10%. By using the materials whichhave similar light transmittances for the body contacting layer 30 andthe garment contacting layer 40, the graphic 65 can be seen similarly(or with a similar degree or intensity) through both the body contactinglayer 30 and the garment contacting layer 40. This similarity may bepreferred since the graphic 65 can be seen naturally by users.

Alternatively, if desired, the difference between the first and secondlight transmittances (LT1 and LT2) can be greater than about 10%,preferably about 50%, and more preferably about 70%.

In a preferred embodiment, the sanitary napkin 20 has the Hunter LabTotal Color Difference (HLTCD) between the outer region and the coreregion of about 0.5-73, preferably about 6-65, more preferably about9-55.

The HLTCD generally indicates a color appearance between two objects.The human eye-brain impression (i.e., the visual perception of human) isalso considered in the HLTCD. The HLTCD is preferably within the aboveranges to make women's emotion effectively stable while maintaining anappropriate range of the visibility of the graphic 65 to be seen throughthe body contacting layer 30.

A preferred method for measuring the light transmittances (LT1 and LT2)and the HLTCD will be described in the “Test Methods” section.

The body contacting layers 30 and 30′ are preferably compliant, softfeeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Further, the bodycontacting layer 30 (or the topsheet layer 32 in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 3 and 4) is liquid permeable or pervious, permitting body fluids(e.g., menses and/or urine) to readily penetrate through its thickness.A suitable liquid permeable material for the body contacting layer maybe manufactured from a wide range of materials such as woven andnonwoven materials (e.g., a nonwoven web of fibers); polymeric materialssuch as apertured formed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films,and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams;reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. Suitablewoven and nonwoven materials can be comprised of natural fibers (e.g.,wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such aspolyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers) or from a combinationof natural and synthetic fibers. When the body contacting layer 30includes a nonwoven web, the web may be manufactured by a wide number ofknown techniques. For example, the web may be spunbonded, carded,wet-laid, melt-blown, hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or thelike.

A particularly suitable body contacting layer for use in the sanitarynapkins disclosed includes an apertured formed film. Apertured formedfilms are preferred for the body contacting layer 30 because they arepervious to body fluids and, if properly apertured, have a reducedtendency to allow liquids to pass back through and rewet the wearer'sskin. Thus, the body facing surface of the formed film (i.e., the bodyfacing surface 22 of the sanitary napkin) remains dry, thereby reducingbody soiling and creating a more comfortable feel for the wearer.

Preferably, the body facing surface 22 of the body contacting layer 30is hydrophilic at least in the core region 25 so that liquids will betransferred through the body contacting layer 30 more readily. If thebody contacting layer is made of a hydrophobic material, at least theupper surface (i.e., the body facing surface 22) of the body contactinglayer 30 is treated to be hydrophilic so that body fluids will transferthrough the body contacting layer 30 more rapidly. This diminishes thelikelihood that menstrual fluid will flow off the body contacting layerrather than flowing into and being absorbed by the absorbent core. Thebody facing surface 22 of the body contacting layer 30 can be madehydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant. A preferred material forthe body contacting layer 30 is a macroscopically expanded,three-dimensional formed polyethylene film. One preferred material forthe body contacting layer 30 is available from Tredegar Film Products,Indiana, USA under Code No. X-27121.

Preferably, the body contacting layer 30 in the outer region 26 has ahydrophobic nature to prevent body fluids discharged at the core region25 from wicking therethrough (towards the circumferential edge 29 of thesanitary napkin 20). This prevents the body contacting layer 30 in theouter region 26 from being soiled by body fluids which tend to wickthrough the body contacting layer 30 toward the circumferential edge 29of the sanitary napkin 20 due to a capillary force. Thus, this designcan also prevent body fluids from leaking from the circumferential edge29 of the sanitary napkin 20.

The graphic protection layer 34 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is alsopreferably compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer'sskin. Preferred materials for the graphic protection layer 34 includenonwoven webs, woven webs, plastic films, polymer materials for coating(e.g., a silicone compound), and the like. Suitable woven and nonwovenmaterials can be comprised of natural fibers, synthetic fibers or acombination of natural and synthetic fibers. The graphic protectionlayer 34 can be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Preferably, thegraphic protection layer 34 is hydrophobic.

A particularly suitable graphic protection layer for use in the sanitarynapkins 20 and 21 includes a nonwoven web. Such a web may be spunbonded,carded, wet-laid, melt-blown, hydroentangled, combinations of the above,or the like. Nonwoven webs are preferred for the graphic protectionlayer 34 because they can provide a soft visibility of the graphic 65(or a slightly blurred image of the graphic 65) while also providing asoft touch, feel and/or smoothness to the skin.

Preferably, the graphic protection layer 34 has a hydrophobic nature toprevent body fluids discharged at the topsheet layer 32 from wickingtherethrough (towards the circumferential edge 29 of the sanitary napkin20). This prevents the graphic protection layer 34 from being soiled bybody fluids which tend to wick through the graphic protection layer 34toward the circumferential edge 29 of the sanitary napkin 21 due to acapillary force. Thus, this design can also prevent body fluids fromleaking from the circumferential edge 29 of the sanitary napkin 21. Apreferred material for the graphic protection layer 34 is a hydrophobicspunbonded nonwoven web made by bi-component fibers havingpolyethylene/polypropylene for sheath/core, which is available fromChisso Corporation, Tokyo, Japan under Code No. EB7120.

The garment contacting layer 40 is impervious to body fluids and ispreferably manufactured from a thin plastic film, although otherflexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. Herein,“flexible” refers to materials which are compliant and will readilyconform to the general shape and contours of the human body. The garmentcontacting layer 40 prevents the body fluids absorbed and contained inthe absorbent core 50 from wetting articles which contact the absorbentarticle such as bed sheets, pants, pajamas and undergarments. Thegarment contacting layer 40 may thus include a woven or nonwovenmaterial, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene orpolypropylene, or composite materials such as a film-coated nonwovenmaterial.

The garment contacting layer 40 can include a single layer material, ortwo or more layers of materials. The garment contacting layer 40preferably has a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about0.051 mm (2.0 mils). In a preferred embodiment, the garment contactinglayer 40 is a single layer polyethylene film. Such a preferredpolyethylene film is available from Daedong Co. Ltd., KyungBuk-Do,Korea, under Code No. DNF-0417C.

The garment contacting layer 40 preferably has a microporous structurewhich can permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core (often called“breathable backsheet”) while still preventing body fluids from passingthrough the garment contacting layer 40. A preferred microporouspolyethylene film is available from Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation,Tokyo, Japan, under Code No. NAP. The size of the garment contactinglayer is dictated by the size of the absorbent core 50 and the exactabsorbent article design selected.

The garment contacting layer 40 can be embossed and/or matte finished toprovide a more clothlike appearance.

In preferred embodiments, the sanitary napkin 20 includes an optionalpair of flaps (or wings) 44 which are formed by the transverselyextended portion of the body contacting layer 30 and the garmentcontacting layer 40 in the outer region 26 as shown in FIG. 1. The flaps44 extend outward from at least the central region of the sanitarynapkin 20. It should be noted that these flaps 44 are formed in theouter region 26, and preferably have the graphic 65 visible through thebody contacting layer 30 (even they have an additional layer insertedtherein as flexure-resistance).

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the flaps 44 are integral with themain body portion 55 (i.e., the flaps 44 comprise integral extensions ofthe body contacting layer 30 and the garment contacting layer 40 fromthe main body portion 55). In other alternative embodiments, the flaps24 can be formed by separate members which are joined to the main bodyportion 55 of the sanitary napkin 20 in any suitable manner. The flaps44 are each joined to (or associated with) the main body portion 55along a juncture, typically a longitudinally-oriented (or“longitudinal”) juncture (not shown in Figs.).

The flaps 44 can be in any suitable configuration. Suitable flaps aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,094 issued to Lavash, et al. on Feb.14, 1995; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,663 issued to Weinberger, et al. onSep. 24, 1996.

In a preferred embodiment, an acquisition layer or a secondary topsheet(not shown in Figs.) is additionally disposed between the bodycontacting layer 30 (or 30′) and the absorbent core 50. The acquisitionlayer quickly transports discharged body fluids received by the bodycontacting layer 30 to other parts of the acquisition layer and theabsorbent core 50, although it may temporarily hold such fluids untilthey can be absorbed by the absorbent core 50. The distribution functionof the acquisition layer is of particular importance in order to morefully utilize the capacity of the absorbent core 50. Thus, while theacquisition layer may comprise a wide variety of absorbent materials, itpreferably comprises a fibrous material that can rapidly transport fluidand not collapse upon being wetted so that the acquisition layer caneffectively acquire and distribute second and successive fluids.

The acquisition layer can be made from any materials which have fluidtransportation functions known in the art. The acquisition layer may,for example, be comprised of woven, nonwoven or tissue materials. Thefibers or other components of these materials may be synthetic ornatural, or partially synthetic and partially natural. Suitablesynthetic fibers include polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon,viscous rayon, or cellulose acetate fibers. Suitable natural fibersinclude cotton, cellulose, or other natural fibers.

In one preferred embodiment, the acquisition layer is an air laid tissuematerial which is available from Concert GmbH, Falkenhagen, Germanyunder Code No. GH082. In another preferred embodiment, the acquisitionlayer is a hydrophilic spunbonded nonwoven material of polyethylene,which is available from BBA/Linotec, Aschersleben, Germany, under CodeNo. Corolind HDPE T27 AXC.

The absorbent core 50 is capable of receiving, absorbing or retainingbody fluids discharged. The absorbent core 50 is preferablycompressible, conformable, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. Theabsorbent core 50 can be formed by a single layer material or aplurality layers of materials. The absorbent core may include any of awide variety of liquid-absorbent materials commonly used in absorbentarticles, such as comminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred toas airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials for use inthe absorbent core include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymersincluding coform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linkedcellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers such as crimped polyester fibers;peat moss; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbentfoams; absorbent sponges; absorbent gelling materials; or any equivalentmaterial or combinations of materials, or mixtures of these. In onepreferred embodiment, the absorbent core is an air laid tissue material.

In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent core 50 preferably comprises amulti-bonded air laid nonwoven material. In this embodiment, thismulti-bonded air laid nonwoven material comprises about 52% cellulosefibers, about 20% bi-component fibers, about 25% superabsorbenthydrogel-forming material (or absorbent gelling material) particles, andabout 3% latex binder. The absorbent core 50 preferably has a basisweight of about 150 g/m2, including the particles of absorbent gellingmaterial. Preferably, this multi-bonded air laid nonwoven absorbent core50 is formed by depositing three streams of cellulose and bi-componentfibers, with absorbent gelling material particles laid down with thelast stream of fibers to form the bottom portion of the absorbent core.A preferred multi-bonded air laid nonwoven material is obtained in rollform from BBA (China) Airlaid Co. Ltd., Tianjin, China, under the codeNo. B888.M.150S17.

In a preferred embodiment, the garment facing surface 24 of theabsorbent core 50 is covered with an color insulation layer (not shownin Figs.) which has a low light transmittance. Preferably, the colorinsulation layer is an additional later which is disposed between theabsorbent core 50 and the garment contacting layer 40 (not shown inFigs.). The use of the color insulation layer is particularly preferredin the embodiment where the garment contacting layer 40 has a highsecond light transmittance (LT2) since the color insulation layer canhide the body fluids which are absorbed by the absorbent core 50 and maybe seen by users through the garment contacting layer 40. Preferredmaterials for the color insulation layer include, but not limited to, athin plastic film, a nonwoven web and a tissue (or other papermaterial). One preferred material for the color insulation layer is anair laid tissue material which is mixed with a titanium dioxide.

The absorbent core 50 is preferably joined with the body contactinglayer 30, the garment contacting layer 40, or both in any manner as isknown by attachment means such as those well known in the art. Thegarment contacting layer 40 and/or the body contacting layer 30 may bejoined to the absorbent core 50 or to each other by a uniform continuouslayer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array ofseparate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive.

The sanitary napkins 20 and 21 can generally have any thicknessincluding relatively thick, intermediate thickness, relatively thin, oreven very thin (or “ultra thin”). Preferred “ultra-thin” sanitarynapkins which preferably have a caliper of less than about 3 mm aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,950,264 and 5,009,653 issued to Osborn.The embodiments of the sanitary napkins 20 and 21 shown in FIGS. 1-4 areexamples of an ultra-thin sanitary napkin. The sanitary napkins 20 and21 may also be relatively flexible, so that they are comfortable for thewearer.

In a preferred embodiment, in particular for a thicker sanitary napkin,the body contacting layer 30 and the absorbent core 50 can be providedwith embossed channels. The pattern of embossed channels typicallyinclude a continuous line(s) which can be straight and/or curved. Theembossed channels can have any pattern known in the art. One preferredpattern of embossed channels is shown by the reference numbers 80 and 82in FIG. 1. Other preferred embossed channels are disclosed in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,345 issued to Mizutani et al. on Aug. 18,1998; GB 2345449 B issued on May 9, 2001; and WO 96/07674 issued on Mar.23, 1995.

Additionally or in an alternative preferred embodiment, the bodycontacting layer 30 is joined to the absorbent core 50 (or the secondarytopsheet if exists) by a fusion bond (i.e., an application ofheat/pressure). The pattern of the fusion bond can include a continuousline(s) and/or a number of discrete portion of fusion bonds. Any patternknown in the art can be applied. One preferred pattern of fusion bond isalso shown by the reference numbers 80 and 82 in FIG. 1.

The fusion bond can be accomplished by heat and/or pressure bonds,ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, and the like. Pressure canbe applied in any suitable manner, such as by moving the components tobe bonded between counter-rotating rolls, placing the materials on ananvil and forcing a platen down on the materials, applying vacuumpressure, and the like. A preferred design for the fusion bond isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,555 B1 issued to Lynard et al. on May15, 2001.

The garment facing surface 24 of the sanitary napkin 20 (or the garmentcontacting layer 40) preferably includes fasteners for attaching thesanitary napkin 20 to the wearer's undergarment. Such fasteners includea central pad fastener 70 and a flap fastener 46. The central padfastener 70 is adapted to secure the sanitary napkin 20 to the crotchregion of an undergarment. Any types of fasteners known in the art, suchas adhesive fasteners and mechanical fasteners can be used. A preferredcentral pad fastener 70 is a pressure-sensitive adhesive. In a preferredembodiment, the central pad fastener 70 includes a pair of spaced apartlongitudinally-oriented strips or zones of adhesive that are centeredabout the longitudinal centerline L (not shown in Figs.).

The garment facing surface of the flaps 44, adjacent the distal edges ofthe flaps 44, is preferably provided with a flap fastener 46. The flapfastener 46 is used to assist in maintaining the flaps 44 in positionafter they are wrapped around the edge of the crotch portion of theundergarment. A preferred flap fastener 46 is a pressure-sensitiveadhesive. The flaps 44 can be maintained in position by attaching theflaps 44 to the undergarment, or to the opposing flap.

The adhesive fasteners 70 and 46 are respectively covered by removablerelease liners, i.e., a central pad release liner 72 and a flap releaseliner 48. These release liners 72 and 48 are provided to protect theadhesive fasteners 70 and 46 before use. They also prevent the adhesivefasteners 70 and 46 from sticking to extraneous surfaces prior to use.

The sanitary napkin 20 is preferably wrapped by a wrapper sheet (notshown in Figs.). The wrapper sheet can be made from any suitablematerial. The wrapper sheet is preferably manufactured from a thinflexible material which is liquid impermeable so that the wrapper sheetwill be suitable for wrapping and disposing of a used sanitary napkin20. Preferred wrapper sheet materials include a polyethylene film and anonwoven web. A preferred design for sanitary napkins is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,074,376 issued to Mills on Jun. 13, 2000.

Preferably, in the embodiments where the graphic 65 can be seen throughthe garment contacting layer 40, the wrapper sheet preferably has alight transmittance so that the graphic 65 can also be seen through boththe garment contacting layer 40 and the wrapper sheet. In order to makethe graphic be effectively seen, the material used for the wrapper sheetneeds to have an appropriate range of light transmittance. In apreferred embodiment, the light transmittance of the wrapper sheet is atleast about 10%, preferably in a range of about 45-100%, and morepreferably in a range of about 80-100%. However, it is generallyexpected that the soiled sanitary napkin after use is wrapped by thewrapper sheet and then disposed. In order to prevent the body fluidsabsorbed by the soiled napkin from being seen through the wrapper sheet,the light transmittance of the wrapper sheet needs to be less than about95%, preferably about 90%. Thus, there is a trade-off on the lighttransmittance of the wrapper sheet. In one preferred embodiment, thewrapper sheet is a spunbonded-meltblown-spunbonded (SMS) nonwoven whichis available form Toray Saehan Inc., Korea, under Code No. SH-SMS 15gms. The light transmittance of this wrapper sheet is about 88%.

As shown in FIG. 5, preferably, sanitary napkins (each wrapped by thewrapper sheet 23) 20 or 21 are stacked, compressed and contained in apackage 90 such as a bag of polymeric film which preferably has atransparent portion(s) 91 (or window(s)) showing the graphic 65 of thesanitary napkins 20 or 21 therethough. A graphic(s) 66 common to thegraphic 65 is preferably printed on the bag 90, thus users (orconsumers) can see the common graphics 65, 66 on the bag 90 and thesanitary napkins 20 or 21 through the transparent portion(s) 91.

Test Methods

This section describes one preferred method for determining the lighttransmittance and the Hunter Lab Total Color Difference (HLTCD) of asanitary napkin. It should be noted that other method known in the artfor determining the light transmittance and/or the HLTCD can beapplicable.

I. Light Transmittance (LT)

A light transmittance analyzer is preferably used for determining thelight transmittance of a sample sheet material. A preferred lighttransmittance analyzer is available from Nomura Shoji Co., Ltd., Tokyo,Japan, under Trade Name “Formation Tester” and Code No. FMT-2000. Thislight transmittance analyzer includes a light source which has a Halogenlamp (12V, 75 W), a sample holder table having an open window, a CCDcamera (256×243 pixels), and a computer. The light source is placed awayfrom one side of the sample holder table, while the CCD camera is placedaway from the other side of the sample holder table. The distancebetween the lens of the CCD camera and the sample holder table is about415 mm. The open area of the window is adjusted so that its effectiveopen area has a square of 40×45 mm.

In the measurement, the Halogen lamp turns on. When no sample sheetmaterial is held by the sample holder table, the reference light volume(Vr) is measured by the CCD camera and recorded by the computer. Asample sheet material is held by the sample holder table so that itreceives the light irradiated from the Halogen lamp in the effectiveopen area. The light passes through the sample sheet material andreaches the CCD camera. The sample light volume (Vs) is then measured byeach pixel of the CCD camera and recorded by the computer. This processis repeated for one sample sheet material at least three times and theaverage values of the light volumes (Vrav and Vsav) are calculated andrecorded by the computer. The computer then calculates the lighttransmittance (LT) by the following formula:

LT=(Vsav/Vrav)×100 (%)   (1)

II. Hunter Lab Total Color Difference (HLTCD)

A colorimeter is preferably used for determining the HLTCD of a samplematerial. A preferred colorimeter is available from Hunter AssociatesLaboratory, Va., US, under Trade Name “ColorQuest 45/0” and Code No.DP-9000. The measurement and calculation for the HLTCD is based on thecondition which is defined by International Commission on Illumination(CIE) and registered as ASTM Method E308, wherein Observer 2° ,Illuminant C, and a sample (circle) diameter of 1 inch.

This colorimeter includes a light source for Illuminant C (i.e., anapproximation of average daylight having a correlated color temperatureof about 6770 K), a sample holder, a photo detector which includes amulti-celled photo-detector diode array, and a computer.

In the measurement, a sample material is held on the sample holder. Thesample material is illuminated by the light source with an incidentangle of about 45°. The reflection light which is reflected from thesample material is received by the photo detector. The reflection lightdetected by the photo detector is converted to a lightness (L), aredness-greenness (a) and an yellowness-blueness (b) in response to thereflection light.

This measurement is conducted on each of two sample materials or twoportions of one material to be compared by the above process. Thus, twosets of photo data (L1, a1, b1) and (L2, a2, b2) are obtained. Thesedata are obtained as average data by repeating the above measurement atleast three times for one material (or one portion). The HLTCD (ΔE) isthen obtained by the following formulas:

ΔL=L1−L2   (2)

Δa=a1−a2   (3)

Δb=b1−b2   (4)

ΔE=√(ΔL2+Δa2+Δb2)   (5)

These data are calculated and recorded by the computer.

EXAMPLES

Table I shows data of the light transmittance obtained from samplematerials (Sample Nos. 1-7) which can be used for both the bodycontacting layer 30 and the garment contacting layer 40.

TABLE I Sample No. Material Code No. Supplier LT 1 PE film TF-FC-0001Thong Fook Plastics 9.8 (8 piles) Ind. 2 PE film TF-FC-0001 Thong FookPlastics 47.3 Ind. 3 PE film DH215 white Clopay Plastic 69.4 73 ProductsCompany 4 PE film X-27121 Tredegar Film 73.4 Products 5 PP SMS SH-SMSToray Saehan Inc. 88.4 nonwoven 15gsm 6 PP/PE bico LB7120 ChissoCorporation 90.1 spunbond nonwoven 7 PE film TF-FC-0003 Thong FookPlastics 96.5 Ind.

Table II shows sample materials (Sample Nos. 11-15) which are used forthe HLTCD measurement. It should be noted that Sample No. 11 ispreferably used for the absorbent core 50, Sample Nos. 12 and 13 arepreferably used for the garment contacting layer 40, and Sample Nos. 14and 15 are preferably used for the graphic protection layer 34. However,it should also be noted that Samples Nos. 12-15 can be used for anylayer of the body contacting layer 30, the graphic protection layer 34and the garment contacting layer 40, if desired.

TABLE II Sample No. Material Code No. Supplier 11 Multi-bonded airB888.M.150S17 BBA (China) laid nonwoven Airlaid Company absorb. coreLtd. 12 PE film TF-FC-0001 Thong Fook Plastics Ind. 13 PE film X-27121Tredegar Film Products 14 PP/PE bico LB7120 Chisso Corporation spunbondnonwoven 15 PP/PE bico LB7160 Chisso Corporation spunbond nonwoven

Table III shows data of the HLTCD obtained from some combinations (i.e.,Sample Nos. 21-24) of the sample materials in Table II. It should benoted that these combinations show preferred examples for the absorbentcore 50 and the body contacting layer 30.

TABLE III Sample No. Core Region Outer Region HLTCD (ΔE) 21 Sample Nos.11 and 13* Sample No. 12 14.4 22 Sample Nos. 11 and 13* Sample No. 1528.8 23 Sample Nos. 11 and 13* Sample No. 14 49.5 24 Sample Nos. 11 and12* Sample No. 14 50.1 *note: Sample No. 11 is disposed beneath theother sample material.

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein arefor illustrative purpose only and that various modifications or changeswill be suggested to one skilled in the art without departing from thescope of the present invention.

1. An absorbent article for feminine hygiene, comprising: a bodycontacting layer; a garment contacting layer; and an absorbent coredisposed between the body contacting layer and the garment contactinglayer, the absorbent core having a core edge; the core edge defining acore region within the core edge and an outer region outside the coreregion; the body contacting layer and the garment contacting layerextending outward into the outer region and joined together in the outerregion; the garment contacting layer having a graphic printed on a bodyfacing surface at least in a portion of the outer region; and the bodycontacting layer having a first light transmittance so that the graphicprinted on the body facing surface of the garment contacting layer canbe seen through the body contacting layer in the outer region.
 2. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the garment contacting layer has asecond light transmittance so that the graphic on the body facingsurface can be seen through the garment contacting layer.
 3. Theabsorbent article of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first lighttransmittance or the second light transmittance is at least about 10%.4. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the difference between thefirst and second light transmittances is greater than about 10% to lessthan about 70%.
 5. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein theabsorbent article has a Hunter Lab Total Color Difference between theouter region and the core region of about 0.5-73.
 6. The absorbentarticle of claim 1, wherein the core edge of the absorbent core includeslongitudinal side edges and lateral end edges, and the outer region isdisposed outside the longitudinal side edges of the absorbent core. 7.The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the core edge of the absorbentcore includes longitudinal side edges and lateral end edges, and theouter region is disposed outside the lateral end edges of the absorbentcore.
 8. The absorbent article of claim 6, wherein the body contactinglayer and the garment contacting layer extend outward into the outerregion to form a flap.
 9. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein thebody contacting layer includes a liquid permeable topsheet layerdisposed in the core region, and a graphic protection layer disposed inthe outer region.
 10. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein agraphic protection layer has a hydrophobic nature to prevent body fluidsdischarged at the topsheet layer from wicking there through.
 11. Theabsorbent article of claim 1, including a wrapper sheet, wherein thewrapper sheet has a light transmittance, so that the graphic printed onthe body facing surface of the garment contacting layer can be seenthrough the wrapper sheet.
 12. The absorbent article of claim 1, whereinthe absorbent article is at least one of a sanitary napkin or apantiliner.
 13. An absorbent article for feminine hygiene, comprising: abody contacting layer; a garment contacting layer; and an absorbent coredisposed between the body contacting layer and the garment contactinglayer, the absorbent core having a core edge; the core edge defining acore region within the core edge and an outer region outside the coreregion; the body contacting layer and the garment contacting layerextending outward into the outer region and joined together in the outerregion; the body contacting layer having a graphic printed on a garmentfacing surface; and the body contacting layer having a first lighttransmittance so that the graphic printed on the garment facing surfaceof the body contacting layer can be seen through at least a portion ofthe body contacting layer.
 14. The absorbent article of claim 13,wherein the body contacting layer has a first light transmittance sothat the graphic printed on the garment facing surface of the bodycontacting layer can be seen through the body contacting layer in theouter region.
 15. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the bodycontacting layer has a first light transmittance so that the graphicprinted on the garment facing surface of the body contacting layer canbe seen through the body contacting layer in the core region.
 16. Theabsorbent article of claim 14, wherein the body contacting layerincludes a liquid permeable topsheet layer disposed in the core region,and a graphic protection layer disposed in the outer region, the graphicprotection layer has the graphic printed on the garment facing surface,and the graphic protection layer has the first light transmittance sothat the graphic printed on the garment facing surface of the graphicprotection layer can be seen through the graphic protection layer in theouter region.
 17. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein theabsorbent article is at least one of a sanitary napkin or a pantiliner.18. The absorbent article of claim 13, including a wrapper sheet,wherein the wrapper sheet has a light transmittance, so that the graphicprinted on the garment facing surface of the body contacting layer canbe seen through the wrapper sheet.